I’m beginning to wonder if there might be some franchise opportunities in Vado’s immediate future. I say this because Vado is really starting to grow in terms of economy and population and the size is bound to keep on growing. The “village” is located off the freeway, which makes for ease of access. There have been, for as long as I can remember, the two truck stops (one with a restaurant in it), a bar, small mom & pop shop, the dairy, and the chili and fertilizer facilities. But in the last couple of years some new additions have really sprung up. Sure the chili processing place moved, although it left it’s offices, but now there is an elementary school, a restaurant (separate and not to be confused with the truck stop’s), the phone and electric company have small outposts there, and there is even a Family Dollar now.

The other night, as I was driving through Vado, I got a good look at the new housing project underway. The developers are really going all out. The roads and driveways for the housing units have been laid, and even the wall that will surround the houses is up. Frankly it looks awesome thus far, but I have to wonder how long it’ll look that way considering these are meant to be low-income houses.

Thinking about the surplus of families that will be moving into Vado in the next few years I began to think that maybe, just maybe, it wouldn’t be so odd to see the golden arches of a McDonald’s soon. After all, the population that would support the fast food franchise will be situated right off the freeway, where travelers and commuters can also come in to get something to eat. Once upon a time, if someone asked if I thought it was possible for a fast food restaurant to built out here I would have said no. Now, it’s looking very possible.

Still though, as awesome as it is to not be quite so “out in the boonies” anymore, it’s also depressing to think that aspects of the city life are encroaching upon the peace out here.